Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los AngelesSep 4, 2016 by Chase Smith
UAEJJF Grand Slam LA Day 1 Recap
UAEJJF Grand Slam LA Day 1 Recap
The first day of the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Jiu-Jitsu Tour Los Angeles went down today, and there were some intriguing clashes between key figures
The first day of the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Jiu-Jitsu Tour Los Angeles went down today, and there were some intriguing clashes between key figures from the black belt divisions. Here are some notable moments:
Xande Ribeiro beat Erberth Santos via decision after a close match which was tied 2-2 on advantages. Xande fought at Masters Worlds last week, while Erberth is over 10 years younger than the veteran at only 22 years of age. Xande went on to win gold by defeating Arnaldo Oliveira 8-0 in the 94kg final.
An exciting final in the 62kg back belt division between Mikey Musumeci and Joao Miyao ended controversially -- Musumeci was up 2-0 and conceded position in the final minute of the match. Joao nearly managed to take the back and choke Mikey in the final moments, but it was determined that he never established position and thus Mikey took gold, winning $2000 and going 3-0 against Joao.
Edwin Najmi submitted the very tough Vitor Oliveira with a darce choke in the -77kg division. Oliveira was a medallist at this year's Pans and recently won Masters Worlds. Najmi went on to eventually win the finals after Victor Silverio took a hard fall and hurt his shoulder.
Talita Alencar wins her first tournament as a black belt and continues an incredible 2016 with wins over Tassia Ferreira and Pati Fontes. The win should give her confidence going into her superfight with Mackenzie Dern on Sept 17.
Perhaps one of the most exciting finals of the day was Tara White and Nathiely Jesus, an absolute barn-bruner. White kept on the pressure while Nathiely played a crafty guard, eventually finishing the match in the dying minutes of the round with a slick knee bar.
Ricardo Evangelista stopped Erberth Santos with a footlock in the -94kg bronze medal match. They enjoyed a healthy rivalry last season competing for the top-ranked spot, and that battle looks to continue this year.
Luiz Panza and Jose Junior fought in the 110kg final, with Luiz Panza winning via his patented belly-down footlock.
Check back for a full video archive of today's matches.
Xande Ribeiro beat Erberth Santos via decision after a close match which was tied 2-2 on advantages. Xande fought at Masters Worlds last week, while Erberth is over 10 years younger than the veteran at only 22 years of age. Xande went on to win gold by defeating Arnaldo Oliveira 8-0 in the 94kg final.
An exciting final in the 62kg back belt division between Mikey Musumeci and Joao Miyao ended controversially -- Musumeci was up 2-0 and conceded position in the final minute of the match. Joao nearly managed to take the back and choke Mikey in the final moments, but it was determined that he never established position and thus Mikey took gold, winning $2000 and going 3-0 against Joao.
Edwin Najmi submitted the very tough Vitor Oliveira with a darce choke in the -77kg division. Oliveira was a medallist at this year's Pans and recently won Masters Worlds. Najmi went on to eventually win the finals after Victor Silverio took a hard fall and hurt his shoulder.
Talita Alencar wins her first tournament as a black belt and continues an incredible 2016 with wins over Tassia Ferreira and Pati Fontes. The win should give her confidence going into her superfight with Mackenzie Dern on Sept 17.
Perhaps one of the most exciting finals of the day was Tara White and Nathiely Jesus, an absolute barn-bruner. White kept on the pressure while Nathiely played a crafty guard, eventually finishing the match in the dying minutes of the round with a slick knee bar.
Ricardo Evangelista stopped Erberth Santos with a footlock in the -94kg bronze medal match. They enjoyed a healthy rivalry last season competing for the top-ranked spot, and that battle looks to continue this year.
Luiz Panza and Jose Junior fought in the 110kg final, with Luiz Panza winning via his patented belly-down footlock.
Check back for a full video archive of today's matches.